Wrapper feeding mechanism



Aug. 11, 1.953 r. B. oALroN WRAPPER FEEDING MECHANISM 7 sheets-sheet 2 Filed oct. 17. 1949 T. B. DALTON WRAPPER FEEDING MECHANISM Aug. 11, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 n Filed Oct. 17, 1949 EN: E m

Aug. 1I, 1953 TQ B. pALToN- WRAPPER FEEDING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 4- Filed OCT.. 17, 1949 nm. i; y M my, m..

Aug. 11, 1953 T. B. DALToN 1 WRAPPER FEEDING 111130111111191i 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 17, 1949 NAN mmmrc- *hNsx QNN WWW/7% N MNRNN .NNNWN .n.N. N N NN mi. mm1 NNNQ www Naw www. s SQ w m- Nm Q QNN QN ,www 5M A SQ 1 uw W 1 1 w www w www l H! 4 QL MN .Niv 65N E Patented Aug. 11, 1953 UNITED STATES ,PAT-ENT JQFFICE WRAPPER 'FEEDING uMECIEIANISM Thomas B. Dalton, Montague, Mich., assignor, by

-mesne assignments, to -Valley Research Corporation, Montague, Mich., 4a corporation :of

Michigan Application October 17, 1949, Serial'No. 121,857

10 Claims.

'on the strip, themechanism herein disclosed being adaptable for wrapping'machines of theitype shown in my copending application, Serial No. 29,435, led May 27, 1948.

One object of the invention isto provide a light sensitive means 'to scan the strip of wrapping materiales it is fed to a wrapping machine and operate a means to stop the wrapper feeding mechanism upon the light sensitive means responding to an index mark on the wrapping material whereby'anindividual wrapper of exactly the' right length is fedandcut 01T each cycle of the machine with cut offs occurring at a predetermined point with relation to any advertising, trade name, or otherdesign on each wrapper.

Another object is to provide a novel electromagnetic clutching and braking means for starting and stopping the rotation of` a wrappervfeed roller and an arrangement f switches and light sensitive means such as a photoelectric tube and a thyratron tube combination for controlling the electromagnetic clutching and braking means.

Still another object is to providefa brake 'and clutch arrangement in which a core member oats on the wrapper feed rollershaft and is provided with a pair of coils, one tov produce magnetism for a feeding operation andthe other to produce magnetism'ioria braking operation.

A further object is toy provide'adjacent the core member a brake disc of ferrous material secured to the shaft for the wrapper feed rollers and a feed disc thereadjacent which is operably connected with a power means so that when one coil is energized braking occurs, and when the other coil is energized the transmission of motion from lthe power means to the wrapper feed roller results.

Still a further object is to provide the feed and Abrake coils operable to energize the core member An additional object is to provide a relay are 2 rangement for ycontrolling'l alternate energization of the feed and brake coilsandza switchingtarrangement including a resetrswitchand-arlimit switch cooperating vwithfthe photoelectric tube and the thyratron tube "for effecting a positive energization of the "feed coil independent of 'the photoelectric tube -during the first part ofrthe revolution of the wrapper feed roller 'fand a positive braking action=duringtheflast part of the cycle, the photoelectrictube beingoperable between these two 'parts to nde-energize thefeed 1 coil and energize-thebrake coil if'anindex-mark on the wrapper passesthephotoelectric-tubebefore said last partof'the cycle commenceaza cutoff knife for the individual -wrappers`beingfop erated during `said lastpart of thev cycle.

vAnother additional object isto providef'an.=ar rangement of a photo-electric tube operable'to -cause a thyratronftubeenergizedby direct current to startl conductingl uponthe-photo-electric tube observing an index markvon the vwrapper,

the plate side -of the `thyratron tube being in -series with a-resetswitch and a relay-for operating the relay when the reset switch is closed `and "the thyratrontubeis conducting, a'limit'switch being arranged -to shunt the -plate side 'of 1' the 'thyratrontube to provide positive brake action in casethe thyratron tube does notf do so-and the reset switch being` operable to stop conduction of the thyratron tube whereby it;isfready for operating again-whenthe reset switch closes.

A further additional Objectis tol provide control means for the feed andi brake coils comprising a relay normally energizing lthe feedy coil and capable of energizing the brake coi1 when a-reset switch is closed anda thyratron tubeinseries `therewith is rendered conductive by a photoelectric cell and/or a limit swtchshunting the thyratron; tube is closed during" the cycling ofthe wrapping machine.

With these and other objects in View, my. invention consists in the construction, arrangement and kcombination -of lthe various parts of vmy -wrapper feeding mechanism, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, las hereinafter f more fully Vset forth, pointed foutin my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l vis aside elevation of a wrapper feeding mechanismv embodying my present invention. Figure 2 is an end view of the portions thereof vadjacent thelindicating'line .2--2 0f Fgurel.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view-.onthe .line 3-3 oflligureV 1.

Figure iis a planview Yof part` ofthemechanism reduced to the scale of Figure 1 and with a portion thereof on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 shown in section, some of the parts omitted for clarity.

Figure 5 is a further reduced elevation on the line 5-5 of Figure l showing particularly the side edge guides for the wrapper.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 showing one pound of product such as butter or oleomargarine being wrapped, the product and the wrapper being shown in initial position by solid lines and in a partially wrapped position by dotted lines.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic View of an electromagnetic portion of my wrapper feeding clutch and braking mechanism illustrating two different conditions of operation, to wit, a braking operation and a feeding operation.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view showing a sprocket and planetary gear unit per se which is illustrated in the assembly of Figure 9.

Figures 11, 12 and 13 are sectional views on the lines 11-1l, 12-12, and 13-13 respectively of Figure 9.

Figure 14 is an enlarged sectional view on the line |4|4 of Figure 1.

Figure 15 is a sectional view on the line |5-I5 of Figure 14 to show the details of a secondary feed roll adjusting means.

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of Figure 1.

Figure 17 is a plan view of the cutting knives for the wrappers as taken on the line ||-|1 of Figure 1.

Figure 18 is a partial side elevation of Figure 1 with portions thereof taken on the section line |8|8 of Figure 3.

Figure 19 is an end view of a switch mechanism adjacent the indicator line |9|9 of Figure 1.

Figure 20 is a side elevation thereof looking in the direction of the arrow 20 adjacent Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a plan view thereof looking in the direction of the arrow 2| adjacent Figure 19; and

Figure 22 is an electro-diagrammatic view showing the essentials of the feed and brake coil circuits and the photo-electric tube circuit used in conjunction therewith.

On the accompanying drawings I have used the reference numeral to indicate a portion of the main frame of a wrapping machine such as shown in my copending application at 10, and 32 is an extension of the frame 30 shown at 48 in said application.

Bearings 34 and 36 are mounted on the frame extensions 32 for journalling shafts 38 and 40. A product feed belt 42 extends around rollers 44 and 46 on the shafts 38 and 40 respectively and is adapted to receive products such as one pound quantities of butter or oleomargarine indicated at 48. A supporting plate 50 is provided under the belt 42 and is suitably supported by brackets 52 and 54. The product 48 is transferred onto a stationary plate 56 and propelled forwardly along the plate by additional products during normal operation of the wrapping machine.

Referring to Figure 4, the product 48 is adapted to be slid laterally to the right on the plate 56 for alignment with one of the channel-shaped pockets 58 of a rotary conveyor wheel 60 and then pushed forwardly (upwardly in said figure) into the pocket as will hereinafter be disclosed.

The mechanism for accomplishing the movement of the product 48 as just described, includes a laterally operating ram plate 62 and a fore-andaft operating ram plate 64. The ram plate 62 is carried by a bracket 66, mounted on a slide 68 which is slidable on a stationary bar 10. A crank shaft '|2 is provided for operating the slide 68 by means of a crank 14 and a link 16 having one end journalled on the crank pin and the other end oscillatably connected to the slide 68.

A second shaft |00 at right angles to the shaft '|2 is provided with a crank arm 80 similarly connected by a link 82 with a. slide 84 which is slidable on a stationary bar 86. A bracket 88 extends from the slide 84 and the fore-and-aft ram plate 64 is connected by a pair of rods 90 to this bracket.

For rotating the shafts '|2 and |00, the following described mechanism is provided. A motor shaft 92 extends from a suitable motor (such as one of the electric type as shown in my copending application) into a gear box or speed reducer 94 and a slow speed shaft 99 extends from the gear box through a coupling 96 to drive a shaft 18. The shaft |00 is directly below a shaft 98 (see Figure l) and is geared to the shaft 98 by gears |02 and |04. The shaft |00, in turn, is driven by a chain |06 extending around a sprocket |08 on the shaft |00, and a sprocket |0 on the shaft 18. The sprocket 2 is merely an idler sprocket and the chain |06 extends on to other parts of the wrapping machine as disclosed in said copending application.

The shaft 38 and thereby the belt 42 is driven by a chain ||4 and sprockets ||6 and ||8 rotatable on the shaft |00 and secured to the shaft 38 respectively. Sprockets |08 and ||6 rotate together on the shaft |00. The crank shaft 12 is driven by a spiral gear |20 meshing with a spiral gear |22 on the shaft |00. The shafts 98 and |00 as Well as the shaft T2 are journalled in bearings supported by brackets |24 and |26 secured to the extension frame 32.

The chain |06 and the sprocket ||6 operate continuously but it is desirable to operate the shafts |00, 98 and '|2 only when there are products in the machine to be wrapped. This is accomplished by a clutch arrangement shown particularly in Figure 18 comprising a dog |28 pivoted at |30 to an ear |3| of a hub |32 secured to the shaft |00 by a pin |35. The sprocket'l |08 has a hub |33 provided with a notch |34 into which the end |36 of the dog |28 is at times adapted to engage under the constraint of a spring |38 seated in the hub |33.

Adjacent the sprocket |08 I provide a stationary tube |40 having a plunger |42 slidable therein and normally biased to its upper limit of movement by a spring |44. When so biased, a cam lobe |46 on the dog |28 engages the plunger as the sprocket |08 rotates clockwise in Figure 18 and causes the dog end |36 to be withdrawn from the notch |34 as illustrated. When the plunger |42 is retracted against the action of the spring |44, the spring |38 rotates the dog clockwise on the pivot |30 for engaging the dog end |36 with the hub |33 of the sprocket |08 so that when the notch |34 thereof reaches a position registering with the dog end, it will drop into the notch and cause rotation of the shaft |00. Such rotation will continue until the plunger |42 is released so as to be raised again by the spring 44.

Means is provided for automatically lowering the plunger |42 whenever two or three pounds of the product 48 are present on the plate 56 and engage-fa clutchiactuatingfnger I 48:'shown in Figures 13, 4.andl.18. 'The clutch "finger |48 is carried -.by;an:arm I50 secured to 'a' rockv shaft A|52 J'Whichis. rotatable' in suitable bearings |54 and extends transversely of the machine. Referring particularly-taFigure4,'the right hand end of .therock-shaft |52 fhasan arm-|56clamped vtheretorwhichrarm" is connected by a linkA |58 to the plunger-|42 as shown in Figure 18. The product has-just-engaged thenger |48 and it is l.obvious that further movementA towardthe right until the product engages` a stop plate |60 will 4 rotate the rock shaft |52 for lowering the' plunger v I421th-us'initiating rotation of the shaft |00 and Acontinuing such rotation for one or more revolu- -t-ions depending upon the supply of product to l the b'elt- 42.

The foregoing description substantially parallels the :disclosure in my above-mentioned copendingV application, and I- will now describe the mechanism added thereto for feeding flexible Awrapping material ina continuous strip from a roll to the machine and for cutting the strip into individual wrappers of specific size depending upon index marks on the wrapping material in accordance with my present invention.

IvA pair of uprights I62 are provided for supportving a roll of wrapping material |64 by means of plugs |66 as shown in Figures 1 and`2, the plugs being mounted on a shaft |68 freely rotatable in notches of the uprights |62. The shaft |68 has a brake drum.l12 secured thereto against which brake shoes |14 are adapted to frictionally engage under the constraint of a spring |16 on a rod |18. `The rod is pivoted at |80 to one of the shoes-and carries an adjusting nut |82.

Both of the shoes are pivoted at |84 for floating movement and the element |84, as disclosed in Figure 2,' is threaded in a .boss |86 of one of #the uprights |62 and provided vwith an adjusting yknob |88 for the purpose of adjusting the roll of wrappingmaterial |64 laterally of the machine to properly center it with respect to the pockets r58 on the wheel 60.

The Wrapping material |644 extends from the roll on the plugs |66 underA an idler roller-I90 carried by arms |92 pivoted at |94 to sideplates |96 supported by brackets |98 and 200. The

wrapper then extends up over an idler roller 202, and downwardly Y under another one,k 204, forwardly along a plate 286, and then upwardly under va fourth idler roller 208.

vThereafter the wrapper -extends downwardly over an yadjustable secondary feed rroller `2I0 vshown particularly in Figures v1d and 15. This roller is mounted on a shaft 2I2, the ends ,of which are journalled in ball bearings 2 I4 carried byeccentricsleeves 2 I8. The sleeves 2 I6 are ro- -tatable in openings 218 in the side plates |96 and are provided with tubular extensions --22E) on which arms 222 are clamped, the arms being connected by a tie rod'224, The tie rod yand arms 'are swung to the positionshown by solid linesin Figure l'for tightening the wrapper |64 between the roller 2|@ and a main'feed roller 226. When swung back to the dottedv position of Figure 1,` the eccentric sleeves 2 I6 move the center of the shaft 2|2 away from the center of rotation of the roller 226 'for loosening the paper and permitting the threading thereof when a new roll is placed in the machine. Referring to Figure 9, it will-be seen that the main feed roller 226 is, in fact, a series of rollers whichrnay be formed of suitable composition' for frictionaily engaging the wrapper `II4,-each roller ^being'formed or mounted on a bushing' 228 andltheebushi'ngs? being secured to a feed roller shaft 230. 'LThe sha-ft is journalledfin `a pair of bearings 232-andva lbearing-234rmounted in two frame platesif236 and faith'irdf. framerplate serves to support the plate 238.

For driving the mainv feed .f rollerfshaft F230.

244 therearound and a sprocket 246 `'drvenaby the chain together with a magnetic'clutch!'which will now be described.

A drive disc-248 (see Figure 9) isSecured'vto the sprocket 246 for rotation therewithand carries a plurality of studs 258 on which planetary pinions1i'252 are rotatable 1(see`Figure 10). ..iA gear 253 meshes with the planetary pinions'and is keyed at-255 to the shaftlf230. An internal gear y254 mesheswith `tbe planetary pinions-252 and isv secured to af'clutch armature-fdisc'f?256.

The disc 256 `is adapted to rotate on abear-ing sleeve 258 on the shaft 230 and this sleeve-lis rotatable in an electromagnetic core 268. fThe core has therein a pair of coils 262 andf264 which 1f termf respectivelyeafbrake co'il Y a-ndia f'eedxfcoil. The core itself is l-oatingly mounted yet re- Astrained against rotation byff-meansvof -arkeyway plate 206 secured thereto Aas by-screwsfff2-68 yand a stationary keyplate-210 -providedwitheI key 212 extendinginto a keywayf214. `'Ihere is enough play between the keyWayfand-thekey 264 are de-energized, the sprocketv246hmay be rotatedwithout causing rotation ofthe shaft -230 'but whenI the feedf coil1264 4isienergized,thefcore 268 will be magnetized to attract vthe vclutch armature disc 256 and thus lock thecore 4and the disc together. Consequently rotation of the sprocket 246 in one direction will cause the planetary pinions 252 to roll'along the teeth-of the Vinternal gear 254, thus rotating ythe fd'riven pinion253 in the samedirection andfat a higher speed.

When-1 the ooit-5264 is cle-energized*andthe* coil because of the brake armature disc 218 being'at- -tracted by thecore`258 andthe rotation vofthe disc thereby stopped as the core 260 is stationary. v'While both coils-'262 and 2'64aredeener`gized,

purpose.

be free andthe rollersf 226 may berotatedf'by hand, a knurled knobf284 being p-rovidedforthis rl'he threading oper-ation Aconsists of passing their/rapper undertheroller |90,-over the roller202 and 4under-the roller`-204=where upon ythe plate-265 guidesit under the roller208 r`and directs itupwardly'togo'oversthe roller 2I-0.

At thatfp-oint," the Madvance-end ofthe wrapper can be manipulated to pass over the roller'fZI 0 and between: this roller and the feed rollers `L226 *while* the two fare-spaced "apart bysWinging-the arms 222 `to the dotted position of @Figure v1. @after #the 'wrapper -is between vthe "rollers-2|0 Aand 225, the-arms are swung Vback '-tof the fllt-line position lwhereupon the Y' wrapper is' clampedibetween the rollers 2 I8 and 226 forrbeingfed-ithereby when they are driven by energization of the feed coil 264. The roller 210 is driven in synchronism with the rollers 226 by means of a gear 286 on the feed roller shaft 230 meshing with a gear 288 connected to the shaft 212 for the roller 210 as shown'in Figures 9 and 14 respectively.

For automatically controlling the brake coil 262 and the feed coil 264, I provide a suitable control circuit, the fundamentals of which are shown in the Figure 22. A rectifier 293 is provided which may be supplied with A. C. current, the supply wires being indicated as 292 and 294. As illustrated, the rectifier has two direct current outlets, DC1 and DC2. The current from DC1 is of suitable voltage and amperage for supplying current to operate the feed and brake coils 264 and 262. The supply of the current to the coils is controlled by a double-pole, double-throw relay, the switching mechanism of which is indicated generally at 296, and the operating coil at 298.

The current from DC2 is provided for the c-oil 298 and the automatic mechanism for energizing and de-energizing this coil, the main elements of which are a light source such as an electric bulb 300, a light-sensing element such as a photoelectric tube 302, a thyratron tube 334, a reset switch 306, and a limit switch 308. The reset switch and the limit switch are similar in construction, the limit switch being shown in particular and its description will serve also for the reset switch, the main difference being that a limit cam 310 is provided for the limit switch and a different cam 312 for the reset switch.

Both cams have lobes with the advance edges 310*l and 312a of the lobes substantially coincident as illustrated in Figure 19 and the trailing edges being different as indicated at 310b and 3121.

Each switch includes a switch arm 314 for the limit switch and 315 for the reset switch pivoted on a pin 316 which is anchored in a supporting disc 324 formed of insulating material. 328 for the shaft 12 and the reset and limit cams 310 and 312 are secured to the shaft for rotation therewith by means of a clamp screw 330.

The switch arms 314 and 315 are biased to engage contacts 322 and 325 of the limit and reset switches which are supported on a bracket 332 secured to the disc 324. The arms 314 and 315 are so biased by means of springs 318 around the pivot pin 316 and having one end engaging an arm 314 or 315 as the case may be and the other engaging a bracket-320 of insulating material. Terminal screws 334 are provided foi` connecting of the springs to circuits, the current flowing from the contacts 322 and 325 through the arms 314 and 315 to the springs. The arms 314 and 315 are also provided with riders 346 and 348 of insulating material which ride on their respective cams and are insulate from the pin 316 by an insulating sleeve 31'1.

Referring to the diagram in Figure 22, it will be noted the limit switch 308 shunts the plate circuit of the thyratron tube 304 whereas the tube is controlled as to conductivity by a grid circuit supplied with current from an amplifier 336 which in turn is controlled by the photoelectric tube 302. The wrapper 164 passes beneath the bulb 300 and the tube 302 so that light from the bulb indicated at 338 is reflected from the surface of the wrapper as at 340 to the photoelectric tube 302.

This disc is clamped to a bearing sleeve As shown in Figure 16, a housing 342 is provided for the bulb 300 and the tube 302 and this housing is mounted on the side plates 196. It is provided with a slot 344 through which the light 338 and its reflection 340 may pass, the photo tube 302 thereby scanning the surface of the wrapper 164. The light may be interrupted by a dark index mark 165 on the wrapper or a dark Wrapper with a light index mark can be used. The circuit of the photoelectric tube 302 may be arranged for the current to increase upon either light decrease or light increase in a known manner so that either a light wrapper with a dark mark, or a dark wrapper with a light mark can be scanned by the photo tube and the photo tube thereby render the thyratron tube 304 conducting for automatically controlling the relay coll 288.

According to the present disclosure, the limit switch 308 shunts the plate circuit of the thyratron tube 304 to serve as a holding switch for it, and the reset switch 306 is in series with the plate circuit and/or limit switch. Accordingly, the reset switch, when reclosed after about degrees of rotation of the cam 312 will permit the thyratron tube to energize the coil 298 sufliciently for changing the illustrated position of the relay switch 296 in Figure 22 when the tube is rendered conducting by the photoelectric tube and the amplifier 336 which results in de-energization of the feed coil. The limit switch thereafter closes to serve its purpose as a limit switch which energizes the relay coil 298 in case the thyratron tube is not rendered conducting by operation of the photoelectric tube resulting from no index mark passing below the slot 344 before the limit switch is closed.

Thus the feed coil 264 is normally maintained energized, as the position of the relay switch 296 is up when the coil 298 is de-energized. The relay then energizes the brake coil and de-energizes the feed coil when the relay coil is energized. In actual operation, the cams 310 and 312 are in the position shown in Figure 22 at the end of a completed cycle of the machine as when all the packages of butter or oleomargarine therein have been Wrapped and the clutch plunger 142 has been raised by the spring 144 for stopping operation of the product feeding portion of the machine and also the paper feeding mechanism thereof.

rThe cams 310 and 312 rotate clockwise in Figure 22 so that upon initiation of another cycle of operation by the product 48 engaging the finger 148 and operating the clutch shown in Figure 18, the reset switch will be opened for about onefourth of a revolution. The thyratron tube is rendered non-conducting right after the beginning of the cycle due to the reset switch opening and thus positive feed under control of the reset switch is assured because this switch is opened immediately upon commencement of rotation of the cam 312 so that the coil 298 is de-energized and the relay is then in the normal position which energizes the feed coil.

Positive feed of the wrapper is thereby had beginning with the start of a cycle and when the trailing end 312b of the reset cam reaches the rider 348 the reset switch 306 is again closed which establishes a circuit to the plate of the thyratron tube which circuit is then completed when the tube is rendered conductive again by operation of the photo tube. At about two-thirds of the revolution of the shaft 12, the limit switch 308 is closed by the trailing end 310b of the cam Mensa 9 ,1 laeaching the rideri34'6- 'Previous to .that time,=i however, the markll65 .passesl.the.slot..f344.lfoit decreasing the current. flows-in the.photo..tube 30E-iY and causing. the `amplifier' 336:to render the tube 364-conductingso thatlthetplate circuitof. thethyratronrtubeis establishedandlthe coil 298i energized as .the switch. y306 .connected in .series.,. with` the.k thyratron tube` is l already closed.; Thereupon the .feed coilis .de-energized and the". brake .coil energized f or. immediatelystopping the. feed of vpaper :with themark `|65. as the-slot 134i` so.thatr the mark .just-,.previousifto that. .oneiis .at .,f theproper position` for1.cut.off...of,a wrapper. from.. the. strip of wrapping vmaterial. V Thus. .any,.,time..

sure..of.,the.limit` switch. .308, the. photo .tubean effect energization oftherelaycoil- 298,-for1stopr. pingdthe. paper feed., Ifno index ,.markipasses.- the slot. 344.thelimit switch will.close...thusilimitz-` ingthe, length. of the wrapper .to,. slightly ancre. than. the desired lengthy-.as .representedxby vthe two-thirds..revolution ,ofthepshaft 12"v ThelLar. rangementdisclosed assures .accurate .stopping of the paper feed ,with correctionfoccurring :for ,each index mark withinthelimits between .closureof theresetswitchand closure of.. the limit, switch.:

The coi 1s26,2 :andi (ill.` are, reversely Wound so.. as to produce north and south poles opposedto; each otherasindicatedin Figure22 and asalso indicated in Figure? wherein,.the, 1eft\ ha1f;;of.13c,

the.l figure shows the brake applied when. the., coilA 262 ;is. energized and: the `coil 2641s Ade-,eneisized, andthe right half. Showsthe clutch ap,- pled when thecoilzd isenergizedand thecoil 26,2;15, sie-energized.; Heavyfandllight .Gross-.Sw-` f tionshave, .beenuSedinFigureTl to. indicate @nere gzed and defenergizedconditions:respectively,of thelcoils. Heavy dotted lines. indicate, the. main; magnetic Vfluxpathwith N. ands indicating north and .SOuth polesresuhng .fthe.1efrQm, Lightdotr.. f ted. lines :and n and. S indicate secondary'. flux.. paths, which. cause no .apprecahleleffect-l It; ,W11;. bek noted that the, cOre Zfisnereizedor aren: trial, Southpole .andraperipheral north pele. for, therbrakirlg i actionand reverselv. for. the-.Clutch 012feedetiQnQ-that ,any residual. magnetism; after defenerezatiqri 0f .one .0011. Will-,beentirelw removed,bvenereizationof the .Otheronefwoundrt0.,Dr, .d\,1c.e..Oplfwsite.rclarityfy I .am-.thus assured., of doing away with all effects of residual magnef tism so thereisno sluggishnessin,` either. the brake action-,or the feed actioni*feeding.action starting imrnr-sgiiately.V upon :energization ofv the feed 'coil 264 andibralfzing` actionstartingy imme' diately upon energization ofthe vcoil2l'i2.

To further reduce the, A possibility, of, residual, magnetism making the'coref Eadhere to` either, the brake disc or the feeddisc,r they surfavveesof.. the, discsmay be provided with acoating ovfvloronze4v or the like .welded onbeoremac'hining andra few,` thousandths of an inch thick,.the ydiscsfand core, ofcourse being formed of ferroustrmaterial, an alternative, the surfaces of the discs maybe plated Awith a suitable non-ferrous material,

After the automatic mechanism just described has stopped the Wrapper |64 inthe prcperfpofsition for cutting,the.wrapper may be out in any suitable manner.. Forthi's l.purpose I. illustrate a' movable knife support .S50-:on whichisffslidablyA mounted a movableknife .blade 352; ShearinglyL coacting .therewith is: a stationary. knife blade 351kv The .blades are ,normally spaced. fromy each, other as illustrated in Figure 1.7 withthe wrapper..- lid; betweenl them. and.A the movable bladeis., adapted. to move toward the. right. 'rin Figure..2 75

1; pinions 358,.mesh as Hshown in Figure 3.

lOl

facilitate ready. remcval, .of the...wrapners;;fro

10Y (upwardly inFigure l7 \to shear a wrapper from. the strip.

For accomplishing movement of. the `movable knife 352, I provide racks `358 .thereon with which. The, pinions are mounted` on a rock shaft ,360..which isA journalled in bearings 352and. mounted. in. the. side plates-|96.` An arm. Mis securedto.the.y rock shaft andconnectedby a 1ink,3..;.to a ,bell crank 368pivotedat 311!l as best shown in Figure, 8.v Themovable knife 352is normally ,retained in a` retractedposition by a spring 312 .and'this` springholds a roller 3l4.on the lower end of the. bell crank againsty a cam 376., The camA is,A mounted on the'pshaft i813 for `one rotation eachV cycle of ythe machine and operates the cut offY knife during the last third of a revolution of .the shaft 'i 2that- .'isgafter,- the Alimit. switch hasvgbeen closedto ,positively stop ,.wrapperfeed.,

ToA` insure that eachv` wrapper is, .properly guided;`

l before.. .cut/:01h I provide, guide. .-.channelsallvi-to reseiveandguide.itsaside edges.. A..ston 38u/.at thgiower, endsf the channels; Supports. the. wranr.. y. per. attenant-,01T and nQtQhes. 31,8 .inthe ,chaume thehannelsby .thefore-andfaftramas.itpushesi a .-unit; 0f i, prductiinto., a pocket 0f i the. rotary@ conveyor., wheel# I have found Ithat Wrapperlfeeding mechanisIn` of ithe type disclosed operates reliably; teauto, maticallyl produce c utfoff: of the `rwrappers ,eX-, at,.ac0fdar1cefwith. the .index mark rsumez. the resetand limita-switch, arrangem nt,..- is suchthat positive feed ,actionfoccufllSfy lmeciy latelyy after the start offfa cyclelas a result; ofH reset and limit.: switches `.openingffirnineci' ely.: upon starting ofithecyle whichdeenergizesthe, l'elavdcol 233ml@ .permits the ,feedlcoilta bi1-euer?- gized. fromv Vthesoiircfe through the. rela switch .2.96, At'v the end Loffva quarter ,revoluti n," the.resetfswitchgcloses foi-establishing1.a'.ci uit,` forfthe plate ,sidefof the thyratrontubetwheng", ever it is rendered. conductivelandgit. sfrendered conductive byfA the pholt'of electric' tube 30,2.fvvlnf if; responds toanindexgmark H55;k If grni'k passesthey photoelectric. tube beforefthedim l switch recloses, the vlimit switch, willenergize the.L relay coil I29.8 foroperating theb'rake cpi1'f2 and thereby stopping paper feed prior t`o. vclit-offv by, the knife. Injeithercaselthe.brakecoil then're mains ,energized l upl to the,V end jo'f, vthel cycle an f beginningfin ,theinext cyolevbefore ,thelimitj an reset Swtchesareopenu When therresetf'swt does open, the platecircuit ofthe'thyratron ytl is broken so that `itis nolonger in a conducting. condition so that .it is ready to be, rendered" con; ducting bythe next photo tubeoperation kin "re-,L4 sponse'to an indexmarkjon the wrapper.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangements vof v the parts of my wrapper feeding m eehanismwithout "departing from the; real spirit and purpose v4,of my invention. and" it ismy lintention to 'VC/Over by myclai'rns rany ,mdiedf formsof structureN or use of mechanical equiva# lentsjlwvhich4 maybe reasonably included Within their scope. 4

I claim "as 'my invention :y

1I.` Ina wrapper feeding `mechanism `of the character disc1osed,` a feed roller shaftfa fefedoller" thereon forr engaging a length of wrapper ma-H terial and propelling thesnarnel through a Wrap? ping machine, and lmeans for controlling the feeding of the wrapper comprisingza magnetic'brake disc secured to said feedfrollers'haft, 'a clutch'disc p rotatable around said feed rollershaftg' a-drivenA element geared to Jsaid feed 4roller vshaft and 'said 11 clutch disc, a magnetic core floatingly mounted on said feed roller shaft between said discs and restrained against rotation, a brake coil on said core for magnetizing it to cause it to attract said brake disc for stopping operation of the feed roller, a feed coil on said core for magnetizing it to cause it to attract said clutch disc for effecting operation of the feed roller, mechanical switching means operated by the wrapping machine for effecting energization of said feed coil for starting rotation of said feed roller each cycle of the operation of the wrapping machine, and photo sensitive means for effecting energization of said brake coil and de-energization of the feed coil in response to the passage of a light source illuminated index mark on the wrapper material past the photo sensitive means.

2. In a wrapper feeding mechanism, a feed roller shaft, a feed roller thereon for engaging wrapper material and propelling it through a wrapping machine, and means for controlling the feeding of the wrapper material comprising magnetic clutch and brake discs for said feed roller shaft and rotatable thereon and secured thereto respectively, a non-rotatable magnetic core surrounding said feed roller shaft, located between said discs and having brake and feed coils thereon adapted to attract said brake discs for stopping operation of the feed roller or said clutch disc for effecting operation thereof, a driven element planetarily geared to said feed roller shaft and said clutch disc, a relay energizing said feed coil when the relay is unenergized and energized said brake coil when the relay is energized, a reset switch and the plate circuit of a thyratron tube in series circuit with the coil of said relay, and a photo electric tube for rendering said thyratron tube conducting upon the photoelectric tube responding to an index mark on a wrapper passing by the photoelectric tube, said reset switch being operated to open position by the wrapping machine at the beginning of the cycle of operation thereof to condition said thyratron tube for operation and closed before a light source illuminated index mark registers with said photoelectric tube to energize said relay when said photoelectric tube responds 3. In a wrapper feeding mechanism of the character disclosed, a feed roller for propelling a length of wrapper material through a wrapping machine, and means for controlling the feeding of the wrapper comprising a magnetic clutch disc rotatable relative to said feed roller, a magnetic brake disc operatively secured to said feed roller, a magnetic core rotatable relative to said feed roller and located between said discs, a driven element, gears rotatably carried thereby and geared to said feed roller and said clutch disc, brake and feed coils on said core to attract said brake disc to said core for stopping operation of the feed roller or said clutch disc to said core for effecting operation thereof, a photoelectric tube for effecting actuation of said brake coil in response to the passage of a light source illuminated index mark on the wrapper past the photoelectric tube, and a relay normally energizing said feed coil and upon operation energizing said brake coil, said relay being operated by said photoelectric tube when it responds to an index mark.

4. In a wrapper feeding mechanism, a feed roll shaft, feed rolls thereon for engaging a length of wrapper material and propelling the same through a wrapping machine, and means for controlling the feeding of the wrapper to a cut-off knife of the machine comprising a magnetic clutch disc rotatable on said feed roll shaft, a magnetic brake disc secured to said feed roll shaft, a driven element geared to said feed roll shaft and to said clutch disc, a magnetic core between said discs and mounted against rotation and adapted to attract said brake disc for stopping operation of the feed roller or said clutch disc for effecting operation thereof, feed and brake coils on said core, said feed coil when energized magnetizing said core with one polarity and said brake coil when energized magnetizing said core with opposite polarity, a relay for controlling the energization of said feed and brake coils, said relay being normally in position for energizing said feed coil, mechanical switching means driven by the wrapping machine for closing the circuit for the coil of said relay, a thyratron tube having its plate circuit in series with said mechanical switching means and said relay coil, and a photoelectric tube responsive to a light source illuminated index mark on the wrapper material as it passes said tube to render said thyratron tube conducting, said mechanical switching means rendering said thyratron tube non-conducting and thereby reconditioning it for another cycle of operation of the wrapping machine.

5. In a wrapper feeding mechanism of the character disclosed, a feed roll shaft, a feed roll thereon for engaging a length of wrapper material and propelling the same through a wrapping machine, and means for controlling the feeding of the wrapper comprising magnetic clutch and brake discs rotatable and fixed respectively relative to said feed roll shaft, a magnetic core mounted between said discs and held against rotation, feed and brake coils thereon adapted to cause said core to attract said brake disc for stopping operation of the feed roll or said clutch discs for effecting operation thereof, a driven element rotatable on said feed roll shaft, planetary pinions carried thereby, an internal gear carried by said clutch disc and meshing with said pinions, a gear on said feed roll shaft also meshing with said pinions, a photoelectric tube for effecting energization of said brake coil, and a mechanical switch responsive to rotation of said driven element for effecting energization of said feed coil.

6. In a wrapper feeding mechanism of the character disclosed, a feed roll shaft, a feed roll thereon for engaging a length of wrapper material and propelling the same through a wrapping machine, and means for controlling the feeding of the wrapper comprising magnetic clutch and brake discs rotatable and fixed respectively relative to said feed roll shaft, a magnetic core mounted between said discs and held against rotation, feed and brake coils thereon adapted to cause said core to attract said brake disc of stopping operation of the feed roll or said clutch disc for effecting operation thereof. a photoelectric tube for effecting energization of said brake coil in response to the passage of a light source illuminated index mark on the wrapper material past thephotoelectric tube, a reset switch for effecting energization of said feed coil in response to operation of the wrapping machine, a driven element rotatable on said feed roll shaft, planetary pinions carried thereby, an internal gear carried by said clutch disc and meshing with said pinions, and a gear on said feed roll shaft also meshing with said pinions, said reset switch being responsive to rotation of said driven element.

7. In a wrapper feeding mechanism, a feed roll shaft, a feed roll thereon for propelling a length of wrapper material, and means for controlling the rotation of said shaft comprising a magnetic clutch disc rotatable thereon and a magnetic brake disc fixed thereto, a non-rotatable magnetic core between said discs and brake and feed coils thereon adapted to cause said core to attract said brake disc when said brake coil is energized for stopping rotation of said shaft or attract said clutch disc when said feed coil is energized for effecting rotation of said shaft, a driven element rotatable on said shaft, planetary pinions carried thereby, an internal gear carried by said clutch disc and meshing with said pinions, a gear on said shaft also meshing with said planetary pinions, a photoelectric tube for effecting energization of said brake coil in response to the passage of a light source illuminated index mark on the wrapper material past the photoelectric tube, and a mechanical switch operated by said driven element for energizing said feed coil.

8. In a wrapper feeding mechanism, a feed roll shaft, a feed roll thereon for propelling a length of wrapper material, and means for controlling the rotation of said shaft comprising a magnetic clutch disc rotatable thereon and a magnetic brake disc xed thereto, a non-rotatable magnetic core between said discs and brake and feed coils thereon adapted to cause said core to attract said brake disc when said brake coil is energized for stopping rotation of said shaft or attract said clutch disc when said feed coil is energized for effecting rotation of said shaft, a driven element rotatable on said shaft, planetary pinions carried thereby, an internal gear carried by said clutch disc and meshing with said pinions, a gear on said shaft also meshing with said planetary pinions, a photoelectric tube for effecting energization of said brake coil in response to the passage of a light source illuminated index mark on the wrapper material past the photoelectric tube, a relay for said coils, a reset switch and a limit switch responsive to rotation of said driven element, a thyratron tube having a plate circuit in series with said reset switch and said relay coil whereby the coil is energized only when the reset switch is closed and the thyratron tube is conducting, a photoelectric tube responsive to index marks on the wrapping material for rendering said thyratron tube conducting each cycle of operation of the machine, said limit switch shunting the plate side of said thyratron tube for energizing said relay at the end of a predetermined limit if the thyratron tube has not done so.

9. Wrapper feeding mechanism comprising a feed roll shaft, feed rolls thereon for engaging a length of wrapper material and propelling the same through a wrapping machine, and means for controlling the feeding of the wrapper material comprising magnetic clutch and brake discs rotatable and fixed respectively relative to said shaft, a magnetic core surrounding said shaft between said discs and mounted against rotation and adapted to Iattract said brake disc for stopping operation of the feed roller or said clutch disc for effecting operation thereof, brake and feed coils on said core alternately energizable for effecting selective attraction of said discs, a relay for effecting such alternate energization, a driven element rotatable on said shaft, planetary pinions carried thereby, an internal gear carried by said clutch disc and meshing with said pinions, a gear on said feed roll shaft also meshing with said pinions, a reset switch responsive to rotation of sai-d driven element, a thyratron tube having a plate circuit in series with said reset switch and said relay coil whereby the coil is energized only when the reset switch is closed and the thyratron tube is conducting, and a photoelectric tube responsive to light source illuminated index marks on the strip of wrapping material for rendering said thyratron tube conducting each cycle of operation of the machine.

10. Wrapper feeding mechanism comprising a feed roll shaft, feed rolls thereon for engaging a length of wrapper material and propelling the same through a wrapping machine, and means for controlling the feeding of the wrapper material comprising magnetic clutch and brake discs rotatable and fixed respectively relative to said shaft, a magnetic core surrounding said shaft between said discs and mounted against rotation and adapted to attract said brake disc for stopping operation of the feed roller or said clutch disc for effecting operation thereof, brake and feed coils on said core alternately energizable for effecting selective attraction of said discs, a relay for effecting such alternate energization, a driven element rotatable on said shaft, planetary pinions carried' thereby, an internal gear carried by said clutch disc and meshing with said pinions, a gear on said feed roll shaft also meshing with said pinions, a reset switch responsive to rotation of said driven element, a thyratron tube having a plate circuit in series with said reset switch and said relay coil, a photoelectric tube responsive to light source illuminated index marks on the strip of wrapping material for rendering said :thyratron tube conducting each cycle of operation of the machine, and a limit switch also responsive to rotation of said driven element and shunting said plate circuit for energizing said relay at the end of a predetermined limit in the machine cycle if the thyratron tube has not done so.

THOMAS B. DALTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,988,486 Ferenci Jan. 22, 1935 1,998,069 Beutel Apr. 16, 1935 2,171,667 Michelson Sept. 5, 1939 2,200,890 Murray May 14, 1940 2,236,631 Thomas et al Apr. 1, 1941 2,346,194 Sjostrom Apr. 11, 1944 2,427,515 Swain Sept. 16, 1947 

